Bulked-up Allen Bailey ready for expanded role with Chiefs

Defensive end Allen Bailey has been a role player for the Chiefs throughout his first three NFL seasons, appearing primarily in nickel situations.

Entering his fourth year, Bailey — who has appeared in 41 games but made only four starts — has taken over the starting reps at left defensive end early in training camp. It’s a welcome promotion for the former third-round pick out of Miami (Fla.).

“My first couple of years, I was kind of a role player, a third-down guy,” said Bailey, who is filling the void left by Tyson Jackson’s departure. “I added on to it last year, playing a little more base end, but now I want to be a complete player, an every-down guy. This year, I’m looking for a more all-around role.”

Bailey, 25, packed on a few pounds in preparation for more extensive duty. His playing weight last season was 288 pounds, but he’s now up to 300 pounds.
“It’s really to help out with the run game,” Bailey said. “I needed to bulk up a little bit. Playing inside at 280 is a little rough.”

Bailey used a meal service to help him put on weight in the right way. Deliver Lean created a high-carb, high-protein diet that helped him add those pounds.
“I wasn’t eating Little Debbie cakes all day,” he joked. “But the key was, I put on the weight, then it was time to transform the weight, so your body could get used to it and you could get into football shape with the weight. That’s the next step now.”

The Chiefs won’t practice in pads until today, but the early returns are encouraging.

“I’ve been real impressed with him,” Chiefs defensive lineman Mike DeVito said of Bailey. “You can see he’s moving well and he’s using that power to his advantage. Just like (Mike) Catapano, Bailey’s been adding weight, but they keep their athleticism, keep their strength, keep their agility and all that stuff.”
Bailey also expects to benefit from having a year’s experience in defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s defense.

“I’m more comfortable, because you know a lot more and feel like you can do a lot more in it,” Bailey said. “You know the ins and outs of the defense, so it’s a little advantage.”


(kansascity.com)